A land without Arabs

[vierundzwanzig]

Israel's policy of land grab turns viable neighbourhoods into ghost towns. Jerry Levin* writes from Hebron

Every time my wife and I leave Palestine and Israel and head for home -- when our visas are about to run out -- we hope that things won't get worse here while we are back in the United States; but sadly we know they will. And, sure enough, they do.

Similarly, when we come back from the US after travelling to cities and towns talking and writing about the seriously deteriorating security situation in Palestine, we hope that things won't get worse once we get back to the territories; but sadly we know they will.

And they do.

Trying to characterise what happened here this past winter and spring, a Palestinian friend said, "While you were gone, this was a time of sadness."

http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2003/652/re1.htm

[liberalhistorian]

1. I simply cannot understand why this country

and government have such a hard time understanding how the policies and actions of the current Israeli government toward the Palestinians, especially in regard to the illegal and immoral settlements, is devastating to the Palestinians and just how wrong it is. Until we deal with Israel's treatment of the Palestinians, there will never be an end to terrorism. As long as there are dispossessed, landless, jobless, brutally oppressed Palestinians who see no hope of any kind of future at all, and as long as the settlements keep taking away their land and livelihoods, water supplies, etc., and as long as no one gives a damn and believes Israel can do no wrong, there will be terrorism.

[StandWatie]

2. it's like a mob boss..

that retains a hit man who likes to molest children.

It's not that the mob boss has any interest in molesting children, he just overlooks the deviant behaviour because he is useful as an attack dog.

[liberalhistorian]

3. That's an interesting analogy, and

probably as good an explanation as any!

[ex_jew]

5. I see Israel as something like the Taliban

except on a MUCH larger scale. We financed them as a way of bringing grief to others (although I'm not sure why). But now that they have subdued their enemies in the Arab world (comparable to driving the Russians from Afghanistan), we can no longer control them. Fervent religiosity, which made them useful initially, now is leading them in a much different direction than staid old America.
However this ends, I think it will make people forget about 9/11 in a hurry.

[cantwealljustgetalong]

14. don't be so kind...they don't deserve your tolerance...

they are worse than the Taliban and then some...

(just clarify something for me - when and how exactly did fervent religiosity cum Taliban make Israel useful initially?)

[QuietStorm]

9. in essence

it is that "leash effect" you mentioned in another thread. The length of the leash serves the Don.

[JackSwift]

4. It's simple

Palestinians are not viewed as human beings. They are the "other".

[QuietStorm]

7. that and

it seems to be a land without arabs, for the fanatic fringe on the other side of the coin, is indeed the aim. All the rhetoric is just diversion. The ignorance of that aim, is support of that aim wholeheartedly, and justifies it right or wrong.

[sushi]

6. I agree with you

Could it be that the people in power in the US pretend to be blind because they need the votes of the American Jews? They can't open their eyes because if they did they'd see what you and I and the whole world see. Everybody thinks Bush is the most powerful in the world but I think Sharon is more powerful than Bush.

There will be terrorism until the end of time. Especially with some leaders acting the way they do, and the greed and exploitation going on all over the world.

[cantwealljustgetalong]

15. "Sharon is more powerful than Bush" because...

while bush is president of the superpower, sharon is it's king...

[QuietStorm]

8. it does not serve some to bother to understand

it would mean giving up the justifications, and it would mean too opening up cans best left to a final status put off infinitum, so as that status will never be arrived upon. In word - denial.

[estherc]

10. Look how much of the world is more or less free of Jews

Comparison of the size of Israel vs. the Arab World The map includes the occupied territories as part of Israel but other than that, it gives the general idea.

[muffit]

11. What is your point there

There are Jews living all around the world, I am sure you will probably find them in most of the countries on your map.

I could post a world map with only Australia coroured and say "Look at how much of the world has basically no Australian's, but really what does it show or mean ?"

[newyorican]

12. HAHAHAHA

Plenty of Jews here in NY. Maybe you mean Israelis?

[bemildred]

13. With all due respect Esther ...

I don't want a World more or less free of Jews.
Jews are a fine people, they have produced some of the
greatest acheivements of the human mind, and they make
great friends, witty and intelligent and well read.
Why should they have to hide in some corner?